Stroud played hosts to the league leaders Broadwell, who are still undedeafed. The firsr ten minutes, Stoud were encamped in their own penalty area, with Broadwell forcing corner after corner. However in the 11 minute Stroud what they were capable of, with a lightning quick counter with Broadwell struggling to get back. From here the game changed, with Stroud gaining confidence and Broadwell realising what they had in front of them. The game turned into a counter punching match of football in sticky conditions, which at times was a credit to the league. Another fast break by Stoud in the 29 min, found Steve Bick surging in from the leck flank into the penalty area, when he tried to cut back in, the defender brought him down and a penalty was awarded. Upped stepped Danny Alderman, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give Stroud the lead. This gave them great confidence and they began to dominate possession. Another chance created saw Broadwell keeper tip the ball round the post from a Karl Lewis header. However, 2 mins from the break, Stroud turned off and paid the price with a lapse in concentration found a free attacker in the box who fired past Stroud keeper, Rob Mills leaving him no chance. The second half was a tremedous game of football. A superb opportunity fell to Karl Lewis in the first 5 mins to fire home but was unable to get the shot off. On 55 mins a counter attack by Broadwell, caught Stroud out who did not pick up the forward running through and Broadwell went 2-1 up. 5 mins later, a free kick to Broadwell 19 yards out, was superbly struck, bending round the wall into the bottom left corner of the Stroud goal. Stroud despite playing really well with some great performances from Fred Humphries,Danny Alderman, Scott Montgomery and Matthw Cox found themselves 3-1 down. This did not deter them and the remaining 30 mins the played some fantastic stuff, utterly dominating the game and missing chance after chance, another superb save by the keeper thwarted Fred Humphries free kick, Maiz bulletted the ball against the post from 20 yards, Steve Bick clean through fired the ball just over the ball and more. Stroud were playing with freedom with pace and skill and Broadwell were hanging on but hang on they did to seal then points. But this was a good performance by Stroud and if they just took half thier chances would have won this game.

From the start Stroud dominated the play, embedding Dursley in their half, slicing throught the defence almost at will and creating chance after chance. Two fantatic saves by the Dursley keeper and twice the woodwork thwarted Ryan Rennebach from scoring 4 goals, other golden opportuities chances fell by the wauside and Stroud wondered if it was going to be one of those days. After 31 mins, Steve Bick who was on fire today, flew down the flank to the byeline, cut back the ball for Scott Montgomery, only to be beaten by a defender sliding in to put the ball into his own net. On 39 mins, a throw in found Fred Humphries who drove in to the right hand byeline this time, fired the ball across the goal for Steve Bick to cut in. 2-0 to the good and so dominanr, Stroud thought they have won the game and took their foot off the pedal. In the 42nd minute an inocuous cross ball into the Stroud box that should have easily been dealt with, found the ball being deposited into the goal after what only be described a ping pong in the goalmouth. Stroud should have been out of sight but found themselves only 2-1 to the good at half time. The tactics bt Dursley from the start of the seconfd half were obvious, stop Stroud playing at all costs. Tackles became vicious and with intent, Steve Bick was carried from the field after a particularly horrible challenge on 52 mins. In the 69th, a simple ball over the top of Stroud defence caught out the cetral defender and Dursley attacker broke throught to level the scores. This had the reverse affect and inspired Stroud to start playing their football again, forcing Dursley back. In the 85th Liam Matthews breaking forward into goal area yo be met by a wall of Dursley defenders but kept his composure by laying the ball back for Fred Humphries to slot in. 5 mins later, a fantastic pass down the right hand flank found Rob Maizonnier who inturm made a fabulous cross onto the head of the approaching Liam Matthews, who found the bottom right corner of the Dursley goal. The final whistle blew for Stroud to take the points with a 4-2 win. Three players stood out for Stroud, Steve Bick for 52 minutes was in devastating form before being carried off,Fred Humphries and Scott Montgomery tremendous contributions to the team.

Stroud paid the price for two defensive errors and for finishing the game with just 9 players. The game started evenly with neither team created much and both goalkeepers fairly redundant. On 29 mins, Stroud’s defence got caught ball watching and not picking up the Stanley attacker breaking through the middle of their ranks to slot in for a 1-0 lead. Arguments ensued and a loss of concentration led to another huge defensive error 4 minutes later allowing the Stanley forward to poke the ball in for 2-0. Stroud now rattled, lost all composure which consequently led to the booking of Fred Humphries however, they regained a degree of stability and the last 10 mins of the half began to pin back Stanley but they remained firm and saw out the half at 2-0 to the good. The second half started in similar fashion the first, a lot of huff & puff but neither team generating anything. The game changed on 57 mins when Fred Humphries committed his second bookable offence was dismissed from the field. Stroud had to adjust and went into a 3-4-2 formation, it apparently had an affect, as Stroud upped a gear and took the game Stanley, who were pinned in their half. Despite lots of effort and chances created, Stroud could not break through. On 85 mins, Jafe Humphries was carried from the pitch from a suspected medial ligament knee damage following a 50/50 challenge. Even with 9 players, Stroud forced the issue with Stanley lying deep and playing on the counter but Stanley’s goal remained untouched and after a 57 minute half, the referee finally blew the whistle giving Stanley the points. With a game of few opportunities with neither keeper called into action, it was two mistakes that determined the outcome.

12

Steven Bick

9

Frederick Owen Humphries

5

Scott Montgomery

4

Japhet Humphries

4

Daniel Alderman

4

Robert George Maizonnier

3

Shaun Poole

2

Dave Cleal

2

Warren Phillips

1

Sean McKeon

1

Liam Matthews

1

Karl Lewis

1